starting material for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting material for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the initial substances or components needed for a process, particularly in scientific or technical contexts. Example: "The starting material for the chemical reaction was a mixture of sodium chloride and water."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Arsenious oxide provides the starting material for most other arsenic compounds.

Britannica

200 ng of genomic DNA was used as starting material for 28 cycles of PCR amplification.

Nature

It provides a starting material for many of the other rhodium compounds in various oxidation states.

Britannica

On dehydrogenation, normal butenes form butadiene, the principal starting material for synthetic rubber.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We further conclude that LCLs are an appropriate starting material for iPSC generation.

Stanford University

The method uses poly-thiosemicarbazide (PTSC) as the starting material for fabricating the membranes.

Catalysis Today

Kapton is known as a starting material for preparation of well-crystallized graphite film.

Carbon

These latices provide a model matrix starting material for carbon black-filled electrically conductive polymer composites.

Polymer

Calcium carbide also is used to make calcium cyanamide, CaCN2, a fertilizer component and starting material for certain plastic resins.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That's essential, he notes, because bacteria don't produce the starting material for the new compounds.

Science Magazine

We first tested the lower limited of starting material for TTAS.

Protein & Cell

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "starting material for", ensure that you clearly define the subsequent process or product. This provides context and avoids ambiguity about the material's role.

Common error

Avoid using "starting material for" when a more specific term like "raw material", "precursor", or "feedstock" would be more accurate and informative. The phrase can be too broad if the context requires greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting material for" functions as a noun phrase modifier, indicating the purpose or role of a substance as the origin or input in a process or creation. Ludwig AI confirms its use across diverse scientific and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

News & Media

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starting material for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the initial substance or component required for a process, reaction, or creation. Predominantly found in scientific and formal contexts, it specifies the origin or foundation from which something is derived. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's effectively used across diverse sources, although being mindful of overgeneralization ensures accuracy. Alternatives such as "raw material for" or "precursor to" can provide greater precision depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

raw material for

Focuses on the unprocessed state of the base substance.

feedstock for

Highlights the material's role in supplying a production process.

precursor to

Emphasizes the material's role as something that comes before and leads to something else.

base component of

Stresses that the material is a fundamental part of something.

initial component for

Highlights that the material is the first component of something.

building block for

Emphasizes the compositional nature of the substance.

primary ingredient in

Highlights the importance of the material in a mixture.

underlying substance of

Emphasizes that the material provides the base for something else.

foundational element for

Highlights the role of the material in forming the basis for something.

constituent of

Focuses on the material as a component part.

FAQs

How can I use "starting material for" in a sentence?

The phrase "starting material for" is used to describe the initial substance or component needed for a process or reaction. For instance, "Arsenious oxide provides the "starting material for" most other arsenic compounds".

What are some alternatives to "starting material for"?

Alternatives include "raw material for", "feedstock for", or "precursor to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "starting material for" formal or informal?

The phrase "starting material for" is suitable for formal and scientific contexts. In more informal settings, you might opt for a simpler phrase like "base ingredient".

What does "starting material for" imply?

It implies that the specified substance is the foundation or initial input for a subsequent process, reaction, or production of something else. It highlights the material's role as the origin from which something is derived or built.